Kraiburg Maintains Stable Sales in 2017

KRAIBURG Austria is reporting a satisfactory business year in 2017 with sales of 67.9 million Euro last year. This marks an increase of 13 per cent in com­parison with 2016, mainly driven by passing on increased raw ma­terial prices. The turbulent cost development in natural and synthetic rubber made various rounds of price increases necessary, says the company.

“A decisive contribution to the ultimately positive overall picture was that we achieved growth in the premium hot-cured compound sector again, and we were able to keep sales in the pre-cured tread business largely stable”, said Stefan Mayrhofer, the company’s Vice President. “We are also very pleased that we were able to achieve a 25% increase in sales in our Ergolastec division which produces many differ­ent types of workplace mats.”

KRAIBURG also invested in the Gerets­berg site in 2017. The replacement of an old compounder by a new, highly modern unit with a budget of millions was booked under material investments. On the human resources level, KRAIBURG brought in re­inforcements in the key areas of product management and sales. Decisive measures were also taken with regards to the 3PMSF labelling legislation: “By close cooperation with associations on a national and European level, we succeeded in giving our customers optimum support and ensuring a trouble-free changeover in the new year regarding the snowflake label”, explained Product Manager Christoph Priewasser.

The provision of “service to the customer” in the form of concrete on-site support is also at the top of KRAIBURG’s list for 2018. Sales will still be focussed on Spain, and new Sales Manager Alessandro Bottesini Campos has been already successful in winning customers in 2017 and will continue to work the market.

“This year we are expecting a number of impulses which will revive the retreading market in Europe. The anti-dumping campaign against truck and bus tyres from China will also play a role that is not to be underestimated. No matter how this ends, it will definitely give our industry, which has been going through stormy times for many years, a new boost of confidence”, commented Holger Düx, Head of Sales Retread Materials. “By the first “Tire Cologne” in Cologne, Germany, we will know more about the enforceability of anti-dumping.”